Nuclear Waste

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2018

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Ceisteanna (329, 330, 331)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

329. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if communication has been received from the UK Government in respect of proposals for engaging communities in Northern Ireland and England that may wish to host a geological disposal facility for radioactive waste (details supplied); if so, when the communication was received; the nature of the communication; if a copy will be made available; the way in which this communication was handled by his Department; the response in respect of same; if the response will be made available; if no response issued, the reason therefor; if Ireland is being formally consulted by the UK on this matter; if not, if the State is seeking to assert such consultation rights; if not, the reason therefor; his plans to provide for public consultation on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14502/18]

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

330. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Ireland has received communication from the UK Government in respect of a national policy statement for geological disposal infrastructure (details supplied); if so, when the communication was received; the nature of that communication; if a copy will be made available to Dáil Éireann; the way in which this communication was handled by his Department; the response from the State in respect of same; if the response is available to Dáil Éireann; if no response issued, the reason therefor; if Ireland is being formally consulted by the UK on this matter; if not, if the State is seeking to assert such consultation rights; if not, the reason therefor; his plans to provide for public consultation on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14503/18]

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

331. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if communication has been received from the Welsh Government in respect of proposals for engaging communities in Wales that may wish to host a geological disposal facility for radioactive waste; if so, when the communication was received; the nature of that communication; if a copy will be made available; the way in which this communication was handled by his Department; the response that was issued in respect of same; if the response will be made available; if no response issued, the reason therefor; if Ireland is being formally consulted by the UK on this matter; if not, if the State is seeking to assert such consultation rights; if not, the reason therefor; his plans to provide for public consultation on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14504/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 to 331, inclusive, together.

I have not received communication from the United Kingdom Government in this matter.

I understand that consultations have commenced within the UK to enable stakeholders and members of the public to submit comments on the geological disposal programme. These consultations are of a general nature and are appropriate to an internal UK audience.

The United Kingdom-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters, comprising officials from United Kingdom and Irish Government Departments, and scientific agencies responsible for ensuring radiological safety, meet biannually to discuss matters of interest to both parties, including long-term strategies to safely store radiological and nuclear waste. Ireland will engage on this matter through this group, which will meet in Dublin next month, and continue to monitor developments in this area.